wraggster
June 6th, 2013, 22:55
Credit card-sized device designed to stamp out underage sexting and cyber-bullying.
Just the other day I saw a preteen in ownership of an iPhone, which probably shouldn't come as a surprise, given that parents are increasingly happy to let children use mobiles (https://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/tag/children/1) in exchange for silence – with mixed outcomes.
OwnFone now looks to garner a slice of kids corner by introducing the 1stFone – described as the 'the dumbphone for smart parents' – which is aimed at children between four and nine.
The credit card-sized phone looks to avoid the dangers that minors can encounter when using mobiles. The device doesn't come with a screen, instead the face simply features the names of people the child may wish to call, such as mummy and daddy.
Parents are in full control of the set-up, and they can activate a 999 button if they wish to. The phone is built around safety, and doesn't offer access to any features that would support cyber bullying, sexting or any other inappropriate content.
Tom Sunderland, founder of OwnFone, said: "In a world dominated by smartphones parents face a difficult choice when it comes to finding a first phone for their child. We wanted to design a fun product that appeals to children but puts parents in complete control and minimises usage while still providing a vital connection between parent and child.
"We're now looking to expand our product range across ages and feel that at every stage of life we need simple phones to compliment smartphones. This is about providing a much needed balance to smartphones and recognising that in certain situations or times in life you need light, simple and small rather than large, heavy and complicated."
Pricing for the 1stFone starts at £55 and handsets can be bought at myownfone.com (http://www.myownfone.com/) on a 30-day rolling contract, pay as you go and paid in advance bundles for six and 12 months.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/company-launches-55-phone-for-four-year-olds/021537
Just the other day I saw a preteen in ownership of an iPhone, which probably shouldn't come as a surprise, given that parents are increasingly happy to let children use mobiles (https://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/tag/children/1) in exchange for silence – with mixed outcomes.
OwnFone now looks to garner a slice of kids corner by introducing the 1stFone – described as the 'the dumbphone for smart parents' – which is aimed at children between four and nine.
The credit card-sized phone looks to avoid the dangers that minors can encounter when using mobiles. The device doesn't come with a screen, instead the face simply features the names of people the child may wish to call, such as mummy and daddy.
Parents are in full control of the set-up, and they can activate a 999 button if they wish to. The phone is built around safety, and doesn't offer access to any features that would support cyber bullying, sexting or any other inappropriate content.
Tom Sunderland, founder of OwnFone, said: "In a world dominated by smartphones parents face a difficult choice when it comes to finding a first phone for their child. We wanted to design a fun product that appeals to children but puts parents in complete control and minimises usage while still providing a vital connection between parent and child.
"We're now looking to expand our product range across ages and feel that at every stage of life we need simple phones to compliment smartphones. This is about providing a much needed balance to smartphones and recognising that in certain situations or times in life you need light, simple and small rather than large, heavy and complicated."
Pricing for the 1stFone starts at £55 and handsets can be bought at myownfone.com (http://www.myownfone.com/) on a 30-day rolling contract, pay as you go and paid in advance bundles for six and 12 months.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/company-launches-55-phone-for-four-year-olds/021537